Burping, Hiccups, Abdominal Tenderness....

[jns1022]

I've been having a variety of symptoms since August of last year.  Had my gallbladder removed in December because of 3 supposed gallstone attacks in Oct. and Nov.  I only had one small gallstone and I'm now sure that it was not what was causing my problems as the issues still continue.  I went back to the doctor in January and was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and acid reflux based on symptoms alone.  I took Carafate for 3 weeks, Prilosec for 2 weeks, and then switched to Nexium which I've been taking for over 3 weeks.  Still nothing has changed.  I'm burping alot which sometimes is like a hiccup then burp, it's strange.  Even drinking water is sometimes causing problems.  I'll have aching in my chest which is pretty uncomfortable and a feeling of slight tightness all the way up to my throat.  My abdomen is tender to the touch from my breastbone down to my belly button.  I've been getting full rather quickly when eating as well.  I do have an appointment with a gastro doc in about 2 weeks.  In the meantime, does anyone have any clue what this could be.  Thanks in advance.

[jns1022]

Thanks for responding!  I've been really freaking myself out over all of this which probably isn't helping matters at all.  I'm afraid that I'll never get to feeling like myself again.  With my chest and stomach aching it's all I've been able to think about.  I just thought that after 5 weeks on PPIs that I would've seen some improvement but that's not the case.  Only 10 more days until my appointment with the gastroenterologist.  I've already been waiting for 3 weeks.  It so frustrating not knowing what is going on or if there is anything I can do to fix it.  

[lakeralum]

could be a couple of things, hiccoughs (hiccups) are caused by irritation of a nerve called the phrenic nerve which causes a spasm of your diaphragm (the muscle that separates your chest and abd and that expands your chest to breathe.  this can be irritated by the surgery, by inflammation, by a bile leak (though you likely would have much more pain and it's been a while since surgery.  hiatal hernia and reflux do sound like the most likely culprits for your symptoms.  an EGD (or upper GI scope) will be able to determine if you indeed have hiatal hernia and if there is erosion in your esophagus from acid refluxing.  for now, stay on the nexium, or one of the acid reducers.